In the country I am in it is 8:29 in the evening. I'm already in my pajamas, enjoying a beer (and perhaps something else) and playing 5 of the last 6 Stones records. I loaded Voodoo, Babylon, Stripped, Security and Bang into the changer and set that kid to 'shuffle'. And to kill some of my downtime (and perhaps waste some of yrs) I'm gonna ramble, a few at a time, about the songs my cd player has chosen to spit out w/no discretion. Here's my semi-drunken song-by-song commentary as the machine sees fit to play them:

"Gunface": Mediocre as hell. A Decent groove, but it has gummy production and it just meanders along. Lacking in quality songwriting. Always considered this one an attempt in sounding "edgy" when it reminds me more of jello for dinner rather steak. To this fan, it's a weak moment on a not-terribly-stellar album.

"Love In Vain": From 'Stripped'. Maybe the best version they've done of this one, IMO. The 'Welcome to NY' bootleg boasts added and richness from the fierce combination of a blistering Mick Taylor solo and a sexy horn section. This is undeniable. But this 90's capturing is, however, just lovely. Take note of a tender Jagger vocal (not to mention his mean harp solo), Keith's oh-so-thoughtful plucking, and a damn fine slide solo from Mr. Ronnie Wood. Hell, even Chuck Sealevel's organ is subtle in all the right ways.

"Little Baby": This stereo is "Stripped"-happy tonight I guess! Anyway, another gem from this album. Damn if this band doesn't sound like a BAND here. Tight, on, and w/a sense of purpose (albeit an aloof one, a cornerstone of fine rock and roll). The guitar breaks, while a tad clumsy, have a "Elvis Sun Sessions" feel that is admirable. (Love that unplugging of the guitar at the end!)

"Respectable": From "No Security". A fine version w/rockin' guitars and a driving groove. Reminds me of the '78 tour (seriously). It does have the unnecessary B/B/L backing vox, but they don't overdo it here at all.

"You Got Me Rocking": Also from NoSecurity, I thought it interesting to start a live album w/this one. It's not a great song, but it's a fun one. Too bad the maracas are friggin' overdubbed. The main riff (milked for maxiumum effect played live) is a classic example of Keith's penchant for taking the most basic idea and transforming it into an effective statement.

"I Go Wild": I liked this VL track much better 12 yrs ago when I first heard it. Mick was, as so often before and since, stuck in the trap where he thought the way to make song sound sexual was to make blatant, dull references to the longings of his libido. This is on par w/latter-day Aerosmith. Nice guitar sound at least. Too bad it utterly failed the test live in concert.

"Sweet Neo-Con": Ahhh, a 2005 track! Too bad it's one of my least favorites. Look, I will concede to agreeing w/the sentiment of the song. I'm an ardent critic of this song's subject. In fact I despise the current US administration (don't you dare try to turn this into a political thread though). But I prefer music that can actually articulate political criticism in a way beyond that of a junior-college poem. Should have been left off the album. Sorry Mick, but this one came about a year too late to stop the re-election. Not that it would have made a damn bit of difference anyhow.

How dare you attack this administration! This is again another attempt to steal the white house back to a sexual predator who is more worried about sex rather then the country. Clinton said there were WMD in Iraq so why is Bush wrong? This is ridiculous!

Cheers to ya. I messing with ya. I am jealous of ya. A good drink great music not knowing what song is next. To top it all off would be a good cigar. Enjoy the night and Hail to the Stones!

are you gonna use that cigar Clinton-style though?

hahahah. That would actually be the true topoff. mmmmmmmmmmmm mmmmmmmm good. A little fishy though.....

in the words of slick willy himself: "tastes good."

stonestom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> How dare you attack this administration! This is
> again another attempt to steal the white house
> back to a sexual predator who is more worried
> about sex rather then the country. Clinton said
> there were WMD in Iraq so why is Bush wrong? This
> is ridiculous!
>
> Cheers to ya. I messing with ya. I am jealous of
> ya. A good drink great music not knowing what song
> is next. To top it all off would be a good cigar.
> Enjoy the night and Hail to the Stones!

I admire the (hopefully) well-intentioned humor of the other posts, but this one I can relate to. You never know what song is next : ) Incientally, I've heard no dissention, so you all totally agree w/my opinions?

I dont agree with your views but I sympathize with you just trying to have a good time without getting political. Just mentioning neocon doesnt mean politics have to be full blown. However, I dont agree with ya on the poltics but I love the stones sometimes more than the politics. Hail to the Stones! Tom

The politics (please be the last time I have to say the word here) are my last concern here. In fact, I look to this site to be one of my few refuges from political discussion. It's fun just simply reporting, and in a personal way, on each Stones song as it comes to me out of the blue. God bless technology and its occasional sympathy for us w/short attention spans!

Isn't High Wire a political song about the Gulf War?

Remember this new song on Flashpoint, though I was 10 or 11 years old when that came out.